“You’re My Obsession": Best Lines in Romance Novels

While introducing her upcoming historical romance and her debut YA historical fantasy, The Burning Sky, on her blog, Sherry Thomas spoke about the description or bit of dialogue that perfectly encapsulated the emotional and romantic impact of a book. Her example was Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight, whose blurb (following) “got [her] to open my wallet and buy [a] copy.”

About three things I was absolutely positive. First, Edward was a vampire. Second, there was a part of him—and I didn’t know how dominant that part might be—that thirsted for my blood. And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him.

This made me think of the passages in my absolute favorite romance novels that, well, made them my absolute favorite romance novels.

First up is Jennifer Blake’s Midnight Waltz. Set in 1850s Louisiana—as per usual with Blake—and featuring a pretty scandalous arrangement involving the heroine Amalie, this line in particular, uttered by the hero, Robert, gets me every time!:

“Because — oh, because I looked at you that first day in M’mere’s sitting room, with your hair hanging in wet wisps about your face, with raindrops like tears on your cheeks and such concern in your eyes, and I knew you were mine. You were mine, and though it was too late to make you my wife, I could still have you, for I had just been told exactly that.”

Second is Victoria Holt’s The India Fan, a superb gothic romance set during the Sepoy Mutiny of 1856. The seemingly plain and unremarkable heroine, Drusilla, has run away from Fabian Framling after they escape from India, as she is convinced his attraction his fleeting. Not so, he says!

“Drusilla, have you forgotten? Didn’t I choose you when you were a baby? ‘That’s mine,’ I said, and it has been like that ever since.”

Last but not least, Meagan McKinney’s Fair Is The Rose. I don’t read a lot of Westerns, but when I do, they are all stacked against this incredibly angsty star-crossed romance between escaped criminal Christal Van Alen and tortured ex-Confederate soldier turned lawman Macauley Cain.

“If it’s fear stoppin’ you girl, then know this: I fear you equally. I want to be free, but you’re my obsession. And if I want you above all else, so I must fear you above all else.”

What lines have forever gripped you by the throat and why?

Evangeline Holland is a writer of historical romances, an amateur milliner, and a really great cook. When not writing or reading, you can find her blogging about the Edwardian era on her website, the aptly titled Edwardian Promenade.

"All the fires of hell could burn for a thousand years and it wouldn't equal what I feel for you in one minute of the day. I love you so much there is no pleasure in it. Nothing but torment. Because if I could dilute what I feel for you to the millionth part, it would still be enough to kill you. And even if it drives me mad, I would rather see you live in the arms of that cold, soulless bastard than die in mine." - Kev Merripen, Seduce me at Sunrise

“Good night, Lisa. Sleep with the angels." Her eyes stung from quick tears. It had been her mother's nightly benediction: Sleep with the angels. But then he added words her mother never had: "Then come back to earth and sleep with your devil, who would burn in hell for one night in your arms."

“Do you think I am an automaton? — a machine without feelings? and can bear to have my morsel of bread snatched from my lips, and my drop of living water dashed from my cup? Do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little, I am soulless and heartless? You think wrong! — I have as much soul as you — and full as much heart! And if God had gifted me with some beauty and much wealth, I should have made it as hard for you to leave me, as it is now for me to leave you. I am not talking to you now through the medium of custom, conventionalities, nor even of mortal flesh: it is my spirit that addresses your spirit; just as if both had passed through the grave, and we stood at God's feet, equal — as we are!”